Senior Pet Care

Senior Care From Our Royal Oak Veterinarian

At Woodside Animal Clinic, our Royal Oak veterinarian is committed to providing your cat or dog with the quality care needed at all stages of life. If you have a senior pet, then of course you want to do everything you can to ensure that your pet ages gracefully. By being aware of what constitutes a senior pet, important preventative care tips, and how to be on the lookout for signs of common senior pet illnesses, you can ensure your pet enjoys the best quality of life as he or she ages.

Pet Longevity and Senior Life Stages

Today, pets are living longer than ever—and for a number of reasons. For starters, advancements in veterinary medicine and technology have made it easier to diagnose and treat any number of illnesses and diseases that are common in older pets. Furthermore, pet owners now consider their pets a part of the family more than ever before. As such, they tend to be more proactive and willing to go out of their way to make sure their pets receive the veterinary care they need to live healthier lives.

The age at which your pet is considered “senior” can vary greatly depending on the type of pet you have, as well as his or her breed and lifestyle. For example, most indoor cats will be considered senior by the time they reach 11 years of age. A larger dog, on the other hand, may be considered senior as early as five or six years old, whereas a small dog may reach 10 before hitting “senior” status. If you have any questions about your pet’s stage of life, our veterinarian would be happy to help.

Signs of Cat or Dog Illness

As a pet owner, it’s important to stay alert and on-the-lookout for some common signs of cat or dog illness as your pet ages. Some of the most telltale signs that your pet needs to be evaluated by a vet include:

unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite

disorientation or confusion

increased consumption of water

unexplained lumps or bumps on the body

overall change in behavior

The Importance of Preventative Care

Furthermore, when your pet reaches senior age, there are some additional preventative care measures that you should take. For starters, our veterinarian may recommend that you begin bringing your pet in twice a year for senior wellness exams; these more frequent exams will allow us to better stay on top of any changes in your pet’s health. This also allows for earlier detection and possibly more successful treatment for any illnesses or diseases that your pet may experience.

Schedule an Appointment With Our Detroit Veterinarian

If your senior pet is in need of a wellness exam or any other veterinary service, now is a great time to schedule an appointment with Woodside Animal Clinic and our experienced and compassionate Detroit vet. You can reach Woodside Animal Clinic by giving us a call at (248) 545-6630.